Not mine - my boy's (TinyTigger). So, we (the family unit) took the boy's "best ever" Christmas present out for the first time today. He was a bit nervous (mostly because he could barely reach the ground and he really really wants to do things well the first time out). First few runs, I ran along and helped with the inevitable glitches. Next few, I ran along, and didn't do as much. After that, I just let him go. This was (maybe) 20 minutes from getting started. Awesome. Just Awesome. He even started standing up on inclines, and (unintentionally) roosted us adults once. Pretty funny seeing him grab on for dear life when he felt that! A couple of sandy get-offs - no big deal (we let him know that WOULD happen). Fun times. (I don't think this pic is inserted right - any help?)
I think I was riding my Honda Z50 around that age :) Brings back fond memories. My son is 4 and I'm counting the days before he gets a PW50! If I click on your link above, I see this box on the screen: Paste the contents of the "IMG Code" box into your message and your pic will be inlined.
Way to go TinyTigger he looks like a young Ricky Carmicheal gettin it done. Gettin time for a Father-Son ADV weekend with all of these youngriders. Go TT drcool
DRCool, We're up for that. He'd get a kick out of riding with others his height. Me - I can't find anyone my height, so I'll ride with anyone. We are planning a ride-in camping trip for this summer, too. This is one of the first times he got the clutch / throttle coordination right: <OBJECT height=344 width=425> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sZbAa1m5AE4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></OBJECT>
Yahooo! Good times to come. I love riding with my kids even though they are just beginners. This weekend I was out riding with my regular crew, we ended up doing a trail tour for a couple other groups that showed up from out of town. There was a 9 year old on a KTM 65 with them, I was suprised that he made a whole loop of our "B" course with minimal assistance. It is really suprising how quick they catch on!
Yup, good health coverage. But the odds of needing it are dwindling the less time I spend chasing after him (read coronary, here). I have got to get in better shape. He had the bike laying on one leg or another a few time. That's why it's been drilled into his head: ATGATT or lose it!
LOL i can't wait to get my 15 months old on a bike. he already looks at the GSA with a large smile saying "daddy's!!!!!"
Awesome stuff BiggerTigger. Good for you. My four-year-old is drooling over the thought of a PW50 and the two-year-old runs around the house pretending to ride a bike. One of these days... Cheers Fin
Good times for sure. Great memories too. I missed the kick off ride as I was riding with my girls on a couple of tracks accessable from our property. They are 10 and 12 and are just starting to get their xr70 up through the gears. A bit muddy and a couple of get offs but it sure was fun following and leading them lugging the husky around in 1st and second. The older one is hinting at a bigger bike now. They still don't want to sell their ponies tho.
I finally convinced his big sister (sis'tigger?) to climb on and give it a try. She's the most cautious 10 year old I know, but she did great: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0DF9T6PsA5I&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0DF9T6PsA5I&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> Perhaps a whole fleet will be required!
Update: The boy's got 6 to 8 hours on the bike, now. After the basics (start - stop), we moved on to rolling inclines, hard pack, gravel turns, sandy trails, water crossings, mud crossings, jumps (modest ones, don't worry 'ma). Latest lesson (last weekend) was how to power out of a tight turn (he really dug loosening up the back tire). I enjoy watching him as much as I do riding. Anyway - here's a shot - he loves to see himself up here and see comments in response. Cheers, Ferd
Sounds like SmallerTigger is almost ready to turn pro . It looks like you are teaching him well. He's gonna grow out of that bike quick now. I wish we could see their faces inside the helmets. As for ice bikes, I may have enough short screws to build him his first set of studded tires. It would be good to see two jrs on the ice. drcool